Stars Trade Rumors

"While much of the potential scoring help went off the board Tuesday on the first day of NHL free agency, the Stars were in discussions late into the evening to possibly acquire talented agitator Sean Avery, co-GM Brett Hull said. Dallas is among the suitors for the 28-year-old forward who had 15 goals and 18 assists in 57 games last season for the New York Rangers. He added four goals and three assists in eight playoff games. Avery lived with Stars co-general manager Brett Hull in 2002-03 when the two played for Detroit."

"Glen Sather wouldn't give Avery an extra $4M over four years - Page Six Sean is believed on his way to either Detroit or Dallas - but the GM instead lavished a six-year contract worth $6.5M per on 31-year-old Wade Redden, a reasonably dependable puck-moving defenseman who had a dreadful 2007-08 in Ottawa and has never been regarded as a game-changer over 11 seasons with the Senators."

"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson didn't expect to sleep well last night. Club president Mike Priest predicted he'll spend much of today "pacing the halls, sort of like an expectant father." When NHL free agency opens at noon, the Blue Jackets are expected to be one of the league's most active clubs, armed with $12 million to $15 million and hoping to add three or four players. One of those players will be Ottawa defenseman Wade Redden, a two-time All-Star. An NHL source confirmed to The Dispatch last night that the Blue Jackets are expected to make a significant offer for the 31-year-old, an 11-year veteran...Among the other players the Jackets might consider: Michael ..."

"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."

"The Blue Jackets desperately need a power-play quarterback, so look for them to make attempts to sign Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Montreal's Mark Streit or the New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival. San Jose's Brian Campbell, the top available "offensive" defenseman, could be a target, too, but he might be the most sought-after player this summer, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets -- loads of money or not -- would be Campbell's choice. The Blue Jackets also want a big, nasty, shut-down defenseman who will make them harder to play against. Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik and Ottawa's Mike Commodore would fit the bill. Now to the other end of the ice...Look for ..."

"Management has seen defenseman Mattias Norstrom retire this summer and expects a decision by unrestricted free agent forward Stu Barnes on his retirement this week. It has allowed Niklas Hagman, Antti Miettinen, Brad Winchester and Johan Holmqvist to pursue free agency and has either signed or made qualifying offers to restricted free agents Trevor Daley, Steve Ott and Loui Eriksson. That means the Stars have 20 of their 23 roster positions accounted for, have a group of rookie forwards ready to battle for one or two spots and have room for possibly two free-agent forwards. "Honestly, we might only have room for one right now," Jackson said."

"Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom told Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet that he is retiring from hockey. "Dallas wanted to keep me, but it is over now," the 36-year old said on the newspaper's Web site. "I promised myself 10 years ago that I would quit while I still had a strong position in the team. And now it is over.""

"The man who wanted a shot at the Maple Leafs' general manager's job from the word go now has the green light. Doug Armstrong, who put together the core of the Dallas Stars roster before being fired last autumn, said yesterday the Stars have given the Leafs permission to talk to Armstrong. "The Leafs are going to get to me in the next while," Armstrong said from Texas. "I want to get back in the game.""

"The Maple Leafs are trying to build a management team comprised of top-flight hockey minds, not just land a star candidate for the team's GM post. Interim GM Cliff Fletcher confirmed reports yesterday regarding the club's interest in Joe Nieuwendyk and Doug Armstrong, but said those high-profile names – along with others like Brian Burke and Dave Nonis – are part of a big-picture plan to lift the franchise out of three consecutive losing seasons with one of the strongest management teams in the NHL. Fletcher asked Florida GM Jacques Martin last week for permission to speak with Nieuwendyk, the former Leaf player who recently left the Panthers organization."

"Although an official announcement won't come until next week, Dave Tippett will be receiving a three-year contract to remain as the Stars coach. "We have an agreement in principle," co-general manager Les Jackson said Friday afternoon. A few details remain to be negotiated, but none are considered deal-breakers, Jackson said. The final announcement will probably come Tuesday or Wednesday after Jackson returns to Dallas from scouting the Memorial Cup junior tournament in Ontario and meets with Tippett."

"The Blues are interested in creating a new management position, team president John Davidson acknowledged Wednesday, saying he has spoken with former Vancouver general manager Dave Nonis about a job. Davidson said the person hired would report to Blues general manager Larry Pleau, whose contract expires in June but is likely to be extended. "We're always looking to improve," Davidson said. "We've talked about it, Larry and myself, about maybe adding another person to the management team to just be a part of our group. There's nothing imminent, and there's no rush on this particular need." Davidson said there were "a few" candidates besides Nonis, who was let go by the Canucks last ..."

"Stars owner Tom Hicks said before Wednesday night's game that he is pleased with the team's co-general manager configuration and would like to take "interim" off of the titles for Les Jackson and Brett Hull. "I look forward to having negotiations with them to talk about what the future is going to be," Hicks said."

"Free agent winger Fabian Brunnstrom is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Stars as soon as today, according to his agent, J.P. Barry. Brunnstrom, 23, has been pursued by about 20 teams after making the decision to come to the NHL. Barry said Brunnstrom picked the Stars because of his respect for the organization and because of the opportunity to play quickly."

"The Maple Leafs are still waiting to hear if they have landed Swedish free-agent winger Fabian Brunnstrom. The 23-year-old had narrowed the field of suitors to four – Toronto, Dallas, Detroit and Montreal – and it was anticipated he would announce the decision on where he wants to play yesterday. But there was no definitive word. "We expect to hear in the next couple of days," Toronto's interim general manager Cliff Fletcher said."

"Who is Fabian Brunnstrom and why are so many NHL teams - including the Canadiens - interested in him? Brunnstrom is back home in Sweden trying to decide where he would like to play after a whirlwind North American tour. He spent two days in Montreal, visited Detroit and Denver, and talked to people in Dallas and Toronto. He has been hailed as the best hockey player not under contract to an NHL team and has attracted a lot of attention as a 23-year-old free agent. Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said yesterday he felt Brunnstrom has the talent to play in the NHL, but a quick look at the Swede's résumé suggests this guy poses more questions than Alex Trebek."

"Vancouver isn't on Fabian Brunnstrom's travel itinerary, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Canucks are off the list of NHL teams with whom the Swedish free agent may potentially sign. Brunnstrom was reported in Dallas on Tuesday and will also be travelling to Detroit and Montreal and likely Toronto for some mutual tire kicking, as the 23-year-old forward gets down to the nitty gritty of where he will play in the NHL this fall. The Canucks were on the verge of getting Brunnstrom's name on a contract two weeks ago, but the surprise firing of GM Dave Nonis put the move on hold."

"Sources tell TSN Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom is in Dallas and attended Game 3 of the Stars - San Jose Sharks Conference Semifinals with the Stars showing great interest in signing him. Brunnstrom is on a mini-North American tour, checking out the cities he is considering as potential sites to begin his NHL career. He is expected to be in Denver on Thursday for Game 4 between the Avalanche and Red Wings."

"Peddie, the president and CEO of MLSEL, and sports lawyer Kirke now have some interesting choices: - Wait for the playoffs to run their course and see if any high-profile names become available. Should the Detroit Red Wings or San Jose Sharks go all the way, GMs Ken Holland or Doug Wilson might look to cash in elsewhere. - Concentrate on unfettered candidates, such as Doug Armstrong or Jim Rutherford. - Go after team presidential timber such as NHL exec Colin Campbell and sports agent Don Meehan and let them make the call on a GM. - Stay the course with interim GM Cliff Fletcher."

"The perception is if the Dallas Stars suffer another first-round playoff exit, coach Dave Tippett's job here is through. But of all Tippett's concerns entering the postseason, he said that isn't one of them. Tippett has been busy preparing the Stars for their series against the Ducks, which begins at 9 tonight in Anaheim. And he doesn't look at any particular game -- or playoff series -- as job-saving. "That's every day," he said. "That's how I think of my job. I'm preparing the best way I know, and I go that way." Co-general manager Les Jackson wouldn't discuss what could or could not happen with another first-round loss by the Stars."

"There are several coaches on the hotseat as the regular season winds down; as many as 15 could be looking for work if their teams don't make the playoffs or underachieve in the post-season... There have been no contract talks between the Senators and Wade Redden, but that doesn't mean there won't be before he's set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"The Stars continued discussions Monday about acquiring forward Brad Richards from the Tampa Bay Lightning, and NHL sources said Stars backup goaltender Mike Smith was one of the players Dallas was dangling."

"Smith, 26, has never been involved in trade talk. But he is front and center this season as the Stars attempt to upgrade their offense and grab a veteran who can score. To get such a commodity, Dallas might have to give up its young backup goalie, who has the potential to be a No. 1 netminder in the NHL... The Stars are in on talks to acquire Richards, 27, according to co-GM Les Jackson."

"Kings D Rob Blake could be dealt to the Avs, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause ... There has been talk in NHL circles that the Senators may again ask D Wade Redden if he's interested in moving. Listening to Murray lately, that seems highly doubtful. Redden killed a deal to the Sharks for D Matt Carle and a draft pick earlier this month ... The Sabres have to make a decision on D Brian Campbell, who's also set to become an unrestricted free agent."

"While Canadian outlets have reported that Richards has submitted a list of teams he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to move to, Dallas is believed to be the front-runner in a package that could include goaltender Mike Smith as the central player coming in return."

"It's believed the Ducks, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild all have made a pitch for Florida captain Olli Jokinen, who is being shopped. The Stars have been among the most aggressive because co-GM Brett Hull wants to make a big move at the deadline. Jokinen might not be opposed to a deal... Talk won't go away that Calgary left winger Alex Tanguay will be dealt to Montreal for right winger Michael Ryder... There has been little talk about Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Ryan Malone, who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"A TSN story reported that the Stars submitted an offer for Tampa Bay forward Brad Richards, who might be available at Tuesday's 2 p.m. trade deadline. But Stars co-general manager Les Jackson denied that an offer had been made."

"There were scouts from 10 different teams listed on the press box roster Saturday as the trade deadline approaches on Tuesday. Dallas Stars director of player personnel Dave Taylor, the former Los Angeles All-Star winger and general manager, has been following the Sabres closely all week."

"I don't believe they have any interest in Sundin or Richards, but they love Olli Jokinen's age (29) and contract (just over $5 million for the next two seasons). I'm not sure what the going rate for Hagman is right now, but it can't be more than $2 million."

"Maybe it will be quiet after all. Still, there are some rumors and it's fun to look at what could be. Here's a look at the top names in trade rumors involving the Stars..."

"Cliff Fletcher has been given a mandate to clean up the mess in Toronto but, apparently is looking for a king's ransom if he is going to ask captain Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade clause before next Tuesday's trade deadline... The talk is Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim, Vancouver, Montreal and Dallas have all shown an interest in Sundin."

"Five places Marian Hossa could end up if he is traded by the Thrashers: 1. Detroit: Waddell is close with Detroit GM Ken Holland and the Red Wings have the depth to pull it off. And the pressure to do so."

"The Stars and Niklas Hagman's agent, Don Baizley, are not discussing a contract extension at the moment. Hagman said he's fine with that."

"Which is why the Rangers GM is obligated now to find out what he can get in return for Jagr as the Feb. 26 trade deadline approaches. It is difficult now to conceive of the scenario under which Jagr will return to the Rangers next season... Detroit should be interested. Phoenix and Wayne Gretzky should be interested. Dallas and Brett Hull should be interested. If even two teams are interested - and perhaps there would be five - Sather could raise the ante."

"The Stars are out of the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes, co-general manager Les Jackson said Tuesday. Of course, to be out, they had to be in at some point."

"It wasn't exactly a typical job application, but former Dallas Stars GM Doug Armstrong made a very public announcement that he hopes to be interviewed for the job opening with the Leafs. "The Leafs job is if one of the most prestigious jobs in the NHL," Armstrong said after having been named assistant general manager for Canada's entry into the world hockey championship this spring."

"Peter Forsberg could be seeing Stars this winter. The unrestricted free-agent centre has received calls from Philadelphia, Ottawa, Calgary, Columbus, Atlanta, Vancouver, Montreal, Detroit, Colorado, San Jose and the Rangers, but sources say Dallas is making the biggest push for Forsberg... The frontrunner to become Toronto GM isn't Anaheim's Brian Burke, Carolina's Jim Rutherford or Detroit's Ken Holland. Sources say it's NHL VP Colin Campbell... Montreal GM Bob Gainey might want to hold contract talks with UFA Cristobal Huet. The goalie wanted to talk to the Habs in September, but was rebuffed because the club insisted Carey Price would be its future No. 1 netminder."

"Stars co-general managers Les Jackson and Brett Hull said there is no truth to an Internet report that the Stars were close to making a deal that would send goalie Marty Turco to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for winger Martin St. Louis."

"Marty Turco's name is coming up as a trade possibility. Is he on the block? I guess you see his name out there, but I don't know who puts it out there. We're not trying to trade Marty Turco."

"Not only has Hawks pro scout Marc Bergevin been following the Tampa Bay Lightning this week, so has Dallas Stars co-general manager Brett Hull. There has been speculation that if the Lightning trades for a goalie, it could be the Stars' Marty Turco and not Nikolai Khabibulin."

"With the Feb. 26 trade deadline a little more than a month away, it's not unusual to see high-level executives from other teams passing through the press box at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tuesday, Dallas co-GM Brett Hull and director of player personnel Dave Taylor were in attendance, as was Chicago scout and former Lightning player Marc Bergevin. While it's unclear whether Hull and Taylor were scouting the Lightning or Oilers, Bergevin was believed to be focusing squarely on Tampa Bay."

"As the ink dries on the new contract extension that pretty much crowns Mike Ribeiro as the Stars' No. 1 center for the next five seasons, what does that mean for Mike Modano?"

"If by some miracle Peter Forsberg's surgically repaired right foot responds well to intense skating over the next few weeks in his native Sweden, the Flyers will be waiting with pen in hand... With the NHL trade deadline less than two months away, some high-profile players already are being mentioned in trade rumors as teams try to trade heavy contracts for prospects. Two of the most intriguing names are Mats Sundin and Jaromir Jagr."

"Jackson said one of the tenets of his GM philosophy is to never make promises he can't keep, so he said that he has to be open to discussions concerning every player. But when asked about rumors that the Stars might want to trade Turco to the Tampa Bay Lightning for winger Martin St. Louis, Jackson said that he was not expecting to trade Turco to anyone."

"Lightning coach John Tortorella said he heard the trade rumor and simply shook his head. Tampa Bay star Marty St. Louis for Stars goalie Marty Turco? "It's absolute expletive," Tortorella said Monday. Not that the coach is surprised by the talk. He knows there is a belief the Lightning might have to sacrifice a top player to fill some of its holes."

"TSN in Canada reported Friday that a potential trade sending Lightning RW Marty St. Louis to the Dallas Stars for G Marty Turco was being considered, but there seems to be nothing to the rumor. In keeping with his policy regarding trade rumors, Lightning GM Jay Feaster did not comment."

"Dallas joined the Thrashers as an organization willing to make a major change early in the season. On Tuesday, the Stars fired general manager Doug Armstrong and promoted Brett Hull and Les Jackson to the position of interim co-general managers. In a league with increased parity, expectations to compete are in every city, meaning jobs are constantly in question. So whose job is in jeopardy right now? Sluggish starts mean the hot seat is getting crowded in a few NHL cities."

"Many NHL insiders think the Stars are going to be active on the trade market now that GM Doug Armstrong has been fired. Co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson would like to bring in somebody who can help Mike Modano and a name that is been mentioned is Boston winger Glen Murray."

"The Stars, with new co-general managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson, are in search of a high-scoring winger. … The Stars could make a run at Michael Ryder, who's off to a slow start in Montreal and off the No. 1 line."

"If not, as much as it pains me to say so, they owe it to Mo to see if he wants a chance to contend for a Cup elsewhere, if he wants not to be here. It is his decision. He has a no-trade clause that would have to be waived."

"Imagine the Flyers re-signing Forsberg to complete the most lopsided trade in NHL history: Peter Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell and Peter Forsberg. But when it comes to Forsberg nothing is simple, not even trading him for himself."